2 Kings 7:1-8
The inhabitants of Samaria have been brought to the very depths of despair. Now is the time for God to act. On his part, Elisha, the prophet of grace, responds to the king’s attempt to murder him by announcing deliverance. Salvation is still proclaimed today. But how many there are who, like the captain, respond to it by unbelief and scorn!
It is four lepers who are used to bring the tidings of this salvation (cf. 1 Corinthians 1:28). Without any human intervention, the Syrian army was routed. The LORD alone won the victory. Thus it was at the cross, where Jesus triumphed alone over all our enemies. We were, like these poor lepers, sinners in a desperate situation, condemned to sure and eternal death. But this death is now destroyed for the believer. In its place he finds: life, peace, free and abundant spiritual riches for the present time, and an assured future. Such are the fruits of Christ’s victory on the cross. The enemy has been totally defeated. And notice, it was only necessary to rise and go to take possession of these things (v. 5; cf. Luke 15:18). Have you done this? Or are you really still sitting "in darkness . . . in the region and shadow of death"? (Matthew 4:16).